Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) today announced that net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 were $35.8 million compared to $31.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, an increase of 14%.

Acme United’s first quarter 2020 revenues included approximately $1.0 million from the sales of First Aid Central products.  The Company acquired the assets of Canadian-based First Aid Central, Inc. on January 7, 2020.

Net income was $1,277,000 or $0.36 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to $807,000, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the comparable period last year, an increase of 58% in net income and 50% in diluted earnings per share. 

Chairman and CEO Walter C. Johnsen said, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Acme’s production and distribution facilities have remained open and we have shipped record levels of our first aid and safety supplies, including first aid kits, antiseptic wipes, medications and refills.  I am very proud of our worldwide teams who quickly executed with purpose in the current health crisis. They pulled together whether operating remotely or running our five manufacturing and warehouse locations in the U.S., two plants and warehouses in Canada, and our facility in Germany. Our colleagues in Asia worked tirelessly to meet production demands and schedules.  Each of our team members contributed to helping us successfully supply safety products to our global customers.”

Mr. Johnsen added, “I would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of the First Aid Central team in Laval, Canada.  They stepped up to an unforeseen crisis shortly after the acquisition and achieved record sales during the first quarter. We applaud them and look forward to continuing this promising start.”

Mr. Johnsen continued, “Among our highest priorities is the protection of the health and well-being of our employees.  In order to protect our employees and ensure continuity of operations, we have implemented a number of safety measures at our production and warehousing sites including health monitoring, use of protective gear including masks and gloves, staggering shifts, social distancing and regular deep cleaning.”

For the first quarter of 2020, net sales in the U.S. segment increased 11% compared to the same period in 2019. The sales growth was attributable to strong sales of first aid and safety products, primarily due to market share gains in the industrial and safety channels, as well as in the home improvement and ecommerce channels.  In addition, some growth came from surge demand for first aid and safety products related to COVID-19.

European net sales for the first quarter of 2020 increased 16% in U.S. dollars and 19% in local currency compared to the first quarter of 2019, mainly due to new customers in the office products channel, growth in the ecommerce channel, and continued growth of DMT sharpening products.

Net sales in Canada, excluding First Aid Central products, for the first quarter of 2020 were constant in U.S. dollars and increased 1% in local currency compared to the same period in 2019.

Gross margin was 37.8% in the first quarter of 2020 versus 37.6% in the comparable period last year. 

The Company’s bank debt less cash on March 31, 2020 was $32.9 million compared to $41.2 million on March 31, 2019.  During the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2020, the Company paid approximately $2.1 million for the acquisition of the assets of First Aid Central, distributed $1.6 million in dividends on its common stock, repurchased $0.2 million in treasury stock and generated $14.0 million in free cash flow, including a $4.3 million reduction in inventory. 

Mr. Johnsen concluded, "Acme United had an excellent first quarter.  We believe that we are in a strong position to move forward with a solid balance sheet and ample liquidity including $16.1 million in availability at March 31, 2020 under our $50 million line of credit with HSBC Bank, N.A.

“Nevertheless, we recognize that, like many other businesses, we may face significant challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic including uncertainties around the duration and magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak.  These include, for example, revenue uncertainty with retailers whose stores are closed or whose traffic has significantly declined.  The Company’s sales of first aid and safety products and on-line revenues may not be sufficient to offset potential declines in our office product lines or may also decline from recent high levels.  Accordingly, as a result of these uncertainties, we are not providing financial guidance for 2020 at this time."

Conference Call and Webcast InformationAcme United will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results, which will be broadcast on Friday, April 17, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. To listen or participate in a question and answer session, dial 866-288-0540. International callers may dial 323-994-2131. You may access the live webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.acmeunited.com. A replay may be accessed under Investor Relations, Audio Archives.

About Acme UnitedACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative safety solutions and cutting technology to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include First Aid Only®,  First Aid Central®,  PhysiciansCare®, Pac-Kit®,Spill Magic®, Westcott®, Clauss®, Camillus®, Cuda®, and DMT®. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com. 

Forward Looking StatementsForward-looking statements in this report, including without limitation, statements related to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including those arising as a result of the effects of the global COVID-19 outbreak and measures taken to limit its spread, including the on-going world-wide economic downturn and further actions that may be taken by governmental authorities or by businesses or individuals on their own initiative in response to the pandemic, any of which could adversely impact the Company’s ability to manufacture, source or distribute its products, both domestically and internationally, or reduce demand for its products..  These risks and uncertainties further include, without limitation, the following:  (i) changes in the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions,  which may be made at any time at the discretion of the Company; (ii) the impact of uncertainties in global economic conditions, including the impact on the Company’s suppliers and customers; (iii) changes in client needs and consumer spending habits; (iv) the impact of competition and technological changes on the Company; (v) the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including its ability to successfully integrate any business it might acquire; (vi) currency fluctuations; (vii) increases in the cost of borrowings resulting from rising interest rates; (viii) international trade policies and their impact on demand for our products and our competitive position, including the imposition of new tariffs or changes in existing tariff rates; and (ix) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2020
(Unaudited)
                   
            Quarter Ended     Quarter Ended
Amounts in 000's except per share data   March 31, 2020     March 31, 2019
                   
                   
Net sales       $ 35,775     $ 31,370  
Cost of goods sold       22,244       19,568  
Gross profit         13,531       11,802  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   11,521       10,268  
Operating income       2,010       1,534  
Interest expense       322       510  
Interest income       (8 )     (9 )
  Net interest expense       314       501  
Other expense (income), net     44       (2 )
Income before income tax expense     1,652       1,035  
Income tax expense       375       228  
Net income       $ 1,277     $ 807  
                   
  Shares outstanding - basic     3,349       3,351  
  Shares outstanding - diluted     3,519       3,392  
                   
Earnings per share - basic   $ 0.38     $ 0.24  
Earnings per share - diluted     0.36       0.24  
                   
ACME UNITED CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2020
(Unaudited)
                   
Amounts in $000's              
                   
            March 31, 2020     March 31, 2019
Assets                
Current assets:              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 4,272     $ 3,798  
  Accounts receivable, net     27,413       25,228  
  Inventories       36,250       40,570  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,926       2,281  
Total current assets       69,861       71,877  
                   
  Plant, property and equipment, net   14,097       14,423  
  Operating lease right of use asset   2,711       2,674  
  Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization 15,478       16,736  
  Goodwill         5,886       4,696  
  Other assets       89       209  
Total assets       $ 108,122     $ 110,615  
                   
Liabilities and stockholders' equity            
Current liabilities:              
  Accounts payable     $ 5,186     $ 5,672  
  Operating lease liability - short term   1,003       1,030  
  Mortgage payable - short term     267       267  
  Other current liabilities     6,955       4,374  
Total current liabilities       13,411       11,343  
                   
  Long-term debt       33,853       41,340  
  Mortgage payable - long term     3,111       3,378  
  Operating lease liability - long term   1,765       1,650  
  Other non-current liabilities     157       36  
Total liabilities       52,297       57,747  
Total stockholders' equity     55,825       52,868  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 108,122     $ 110,615  
                   

CONTACT:Paul G. DriscollAcme United Corporation55 Walls DriveFairfield, CT  06824Phone: (203) 254-6060FAX: (203) 254-6521

 

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